Playhouse hires a new general manager with Hart

Published: Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 3:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, March 15, 2013 at 9:50 p.m.

After interviewing more than 40 applicants, Flat Rock Playhouse has hired the former general manager of the Dallas Theater Center in Texas as its new managing director.

Hillary Hart, a 2000 graduate of the University of North Carolina's School of the Arts, will start work April 2. She will report to the Playhouse's board of trustees directly and work collaboratively with Artistic Director Vincent Marini.

Her primary responsibilities will be financial management of the nonprofit theater, said Board Chairman Bill McKibbin, including budget development and administration, personnel, contract negotiations, marketing, strategic planning and daily operations of YouTheatre.

McKibbin said having two equal administrators — one managing, one artistic — who are both accountable to the board was a structural change that brings the Playhouse more in line with what other nonprofit theaters of its size have done for decades.

Until last Thursday, Hart was the general manager of the Dallas Theater Center, an $8.5 million regional theater founded in 1954, whose various venues include a building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. There, she handled budgeting, fundraising, union and vendor relations, contracts and personnel.

Having attended school in Winston-Salem, Hart said she was “absolutely taken with the state and its people. You could not find a prettier place in the world to call home. When I saw this position advertised, I said, ‘It's time for me to go back.'”

Hart said the Playhouse's reputation as an “organization with deep roots in the community” was also a draw. She and her husband have a 5-year-old son who is starting kindergarten, so the couple was also looking for a family-friendly area in the mountains to call home, she said.

“On my site visit there, I was so taken by the generosity of spirit from everyone,” Hart said. “Talk about a great place to bring your children up.”

While Hart's resume was strong on the financial management side, McKibbin said her well-rounded theater background made her an even more impressive candidate. Before joining DTC in 2006, Hart worked as production manager for the renowned Alvin Ailey II dance company and has served, at various times, as a stage hand, writer and director.

“We thought it was important that we find someone who can not only master a budget, but also relate to the public and staff with a lifelong love of theater,” he said. “Hillary fits the bill.”

The Playhouse's recent financial woes were not a deterrent for Hart, she said, pointing out that even the nation's biggest theater companies have struggled in the past three years as foundations, corporate sponsors and private donors tightened their belts from the recession. Public funding for the arts has also suffered from federal budget cuts, which used to trickle down more to state and local levels.

“That's one thing I imparted to the board when I was interviewing: you're not alone,” Hart said. “There may be unique elements to what's happened in Flat Rock, but every arts institution has gone through a watershed moment where there has to be a paradigm shift in how they operate.”

Early on, Hart said, it was clear the Playhouse “had an unusual balance of earned and contributed revenues. The way it was wasn't sustainable. I think everybody starting realizing that in 2010, and I think you've seen a little bit of turn since Vincent got there.”

In 2011, the Playhouse reported to the Internal Revenue Service that it earned $2.86 million in box office sales and other earned revenue, while bringing in $676,384 in contributions and grants.

One of her goals, Hart said, is to shift the Playhouse's revenue stream more toward a 50/50 ratio of earned and contributed revenues, calling it “absolutely necessary for the Flat Rock Playhouse to continue to operate for any period of time.”

Hart said one of the first things she'll do is embark on a “listening tour,” talking with local governmental, civic and business leaders, including those who have been critical of the Playhouse in recent months.

“That doesn't mean I'll be able to solve all problems in a day, but without having a baseline understanding of how they feel, you can't fix things,” she said.

<p>After interviewing more than 40 applicants, Flat Rock Playhouse has hired the former general manager of the Dallas Theater Center in Texas as its new managing director.</p><p>Hillary Hart, a 2000 graduate of the University of North Carolina's School of the Arts, will start work April 2. She will report to the Playhouse's board of trustees directly and work collaboratively with Artistic Director Vincent Marini. </p><p>Her primary responsibilities will be financial management of the nonprofit theater, said Board Chairman Bill McKibbin, including budget development and administration, personnel, contract negotiations, marketing, strategic planning and daily operations of YouTheatre.</p><p>McKibbin said having two equal administrators — one managing, one artistic — who are both accountable to the board was a structural change that brings the Playhouse more in line with what other nonprofit theaters of its size have done for decades. </p><p>Until last Thursday, Hart was the general manager of the Dallas Theater Center, an $8.5 million regional theater founded in 1954, whose various venues include a building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. There, she handled budgeting, fundraising, union and vendor relations, contracts and personnel.</p><p>Having attended school in Winston-Salem, Hart said she was “absolutely taken with the state and its people. You could not find a prettier place in the world to call home. When I saw this position advertised, I said, 'It's time for me to go back.'”</p><p>Hart said the Playhouse's reputation as an “organization with deep roots in the community” was also a draw. She and her husband have a 5-year-old son who is starting kindergarten, so the couple was also looking for a family-friendly area in the mountains to call home, she said.</p><p>“On my site visit there, I was so taken by the generosity of spirit from everyone,” Hart said. “Talk about a great place to bring your children up.”</p><p>While Hart's resume was strong on the financial management side, McKibbin said her well-rounded theater background made her an even more impressive candidate. Before joining DTC in 2006, Hart worked as production manager for the renowned Alvin Ailey II dance company and has served, at various times, as a stage hand, writer and director.</p><p>“We thought it was important that we find someone who can not only master a budget, but also relate to the public and staff with a lifelong love of theater,” he said. “Hillary fits the bill.”</p><p>The Playhouse's recent financial woes were not a deterrent for Hart, she said, pointing out that even the nation's biggest theater companies have struggled in the past three years as foundations, corporate sponsors and private donors tightened their belts from the recession. Public funding for the arts has also suffered from federal budget cuts, which used to trickle down more to state and local levels.</p><p>“That's one thing I imparted to the board when I was interviewing: you're not alone,” Hart said. “There may be unique elements to what's happened in Flat Rock, but every arts institution has gone through a watershed moment where there has to be a paradigm shift in how they operate.”</p><p>Early on, Hart said, it was clear the Playhouse “had an unusual balance of earned and contributed revenues. The way it was wasn't sustainable. I think everybody starting realizing that in 2010, and I think you've seen a little bit of turn since Vincent got there.” </p><p>Contributed revenues include foundation grants, individual and corporate donations, in-kind contributions and public funding. Earned revenues come from ticket sales, season subscriptions, program ads and concession sales. </p><p>In 2011, the Playhouse reported to the Internal Revenue Service that it earned $2.86 million in box office sales and other earned revenue, while bringing in $676,384 in contributions and grants. </p><p>One of her goals, Hart said, is to shift the Playhouse's revenue stream more toward a 50/50 ratio of earned and contributed revenues, calling it “absolutely necessary for the Flat Rock Playhouse to continue to operate for any period of time.” </p><p>Hart said one of the first things she'll do is embark on a “listening tour,” talking with local governmental, civic and business leaders, including those who have been critical of the Playhouse in recent months.</p><p>“That doesn't mean I'll be able to solve all problems in a day, but without having a baseline understanding of how they feel, you can't fix things,” she said. </p><p>Reach Axtell at 828-694-7860 or than.axtell@blueridgenow.com.</p>